قَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ 82
Translations
They said, "When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?
Transliteration
Qalū a-idha mitnā wa kunnā turāban wa-ʿiẓāman a-innā lamabʿūthūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
The disbelievers mockingly question the possibility of resurrection, arguing that once they die and turn to dust and bones, they cannot be brought back to life. This ayah presents their objection to the Day of Judgment, which the Quran refutes throughout the surah by emphasizing Allah's power and wisdom. Classical exegetes like Ibn Kathir note this reflects the arrogance of the Meccan polytheists who rejected the resurrection doctrine as logically impossible.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-Mu'minun, revealed in Mecca during the early-middle Meccan period. The surah addresses the denial of the Hereafter by the Meccan polytheists, who rejected resurrection as an irrational concept. This particular ayah captures their characteristic mockery (sukhriyyah) toward Islamic teachings about the afterlife.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (3334): The Prophet ﷺ said, 'The best of you are those who believe in me and in the resurrection,' relating to those who accept the Day of Judgment. Also relevant: Surah Yaseen (36:78) contains a similar objection about resurrection, addressed directly in multiple hadiths affirming Allah's ability to resurrect.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that rejection of the Hereafter often stems from limited human reasoning and inability to comprehend divine power beyond material existence. Modern believers should recognize that faith transcends empirical observation and that Allah's capability to resurrect is not bound by the limits of human imagination or current scientific understanding.
Related Ayahs
ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَا ۖ كُلَّ مَا جَآءَ أُمَّةً رَّسُولُهَا كَذَّبُوهُ ۚ فَأَتْبَعْنَا بَعْضَهُم بَعْضًا وَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ ۚ فَبُعْدًا لِّقَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Then We sent Our messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation its messenger, they denied him, so We made them follow one another [to destruction], and We made them narrations. So away with a people who do not believe.
إِنِّى جَزَيْتُهُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا صَبَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ
Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patient endurance - that they are the attainers [of success]."
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
And it is He who produced for you hearing and vision and hearts [i.e., intellect]; little are you grateful.
وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهَـٰنَ لَهُۥ بِهِۦ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ
And whoever invokes besides Allāh another deity for which he has no proof - then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.